Which SUV should I rent?

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/22/2019 at 17:34 • Filed to: None

The peak in the distance is White Mountain Peak, 2nd highest peak in California, at 14,037 ft. We went there last week and our bodies weren’t up to the task. I am returning next week. Making the attempt requires driving 32 miles on this horrid road. I do not want to subject my van to this a second time, so I am going to rent an SUV for the venture. Which one should I rent, and why think you? Please advise.

DISCUSSION (43)

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:31

Jeep Wrangler 2 door would be cool

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:31

2 door wrangler if it’s just 2 of you.

vicali > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:37

Kinja'd!!!

wafflesnfalafel > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:38

something with a turbo due to the altitude

Nibby > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:40

Jeep Wrangler... economy?

Kinja'd!!!

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:45

Watch out for the “Or Similar”, that cool little Wrangler might become a RAV4.

benjrblant > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 17:57

that road looks pretty tame. anything with four wheels?

HammerheadFistpunch > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 18:11

None of these are great. I would say compass because you may as well hate it, but the new one my mom rented stranded her with some random issue.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 18:15

The explorer is terrible offroad. You have to click a switch for it to use it’s AWD function and the front clip is so low you can’t drive over a beer can without damage.

HammerheadFistpunch > fintail
07/22/2019 at 18:20

exactly.

DarkMinun > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 18:41

Instead of dumping cash into a less capable rental, buy a full size spare or 2 for the van. I’d take my Astro there, if I still had it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2019 at 18:41

I was thinking, why not the Rambler? Isn't this just what that vehicle is supposed to be designed for? The Safari did okay -- at 5 mph and the front suspension rebuilt -- but the raid passage took over two hours. I don't need Rubicon Trail, just something AWD and a wee bit of ground clearance.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2019 at 18:41

And a real spare tire...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DarkMinun
07/22/2019 at 18:52

Well, I did drive the Safari there a week ago and I do have a proper spare tire. I also rebuilt the front suspension just before that trip, replacing upper and lower bushings and upper and lower ball joints. So I drove it very gingerly . And I want to unlock the achievement of reaching the summit and I thought an AWD SUV thingy, this would be the sort of thing they claim we can do with them.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/22/2019 at 18:53

Well, that’s good to know. And counter- intuitive. Thanks for the tip.

Lately, I’ve been thinking, Why not the Rambler ?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > benjrblant
07/22/2019 at 18:55

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2019 at 18:58

I’d take a rent-a-RAV4 before I’d subject my Safari to 32 miles of that road again.

HammerheadFistpunch > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 18:59

I would go wrangler, just because it will make it a more pleasurable experience being open top.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Nibby
07/22/2019 at 19:00

The Wrangler is the least economical of the lot.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
07/22/2019 at 19:01

That’s where I’m leaning right now.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/22/2019 at 19:01

It’s only the one of me going this time. I’ve been thinking, Why not the Rambler? I mean, isn’t this just exactly what they’re supposed to be good for?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2019 at 19:02

But don’t I have to remove the top and leave it somewhere?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 19:05

I see that road and I see things shaking apart. I would rather shake apart a rental car or Turo rental car.

Nibby > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 19:12

my dad went to look at a new one to replace his 2016 grand cherokee (lease is up soon) and they were astronomically priced... sahara unlimiteds were all over $50k

HammerheadFistpunch > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 19:20

actually a rav4 would be a great get. its the Nissan rouge that you’ll get though

HammerheadFistpunch > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 19:21

depends, sometimes its just the softop they rent so you just fold it back and out of the way. be sure to leave the doors someplace though...not to come back and get them...just to dramatically come back to the rental lot without doors and shocked looks on your faces.

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 19:33

Keep in mind that, short, straight axled vehicles on rough roads get really bouncy. My wife’s BMW rides nicer on roads like that than my Wrangler. I just don’t have to worry as much about breaking stuff on the Wrangler.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/22/2019 at 20:08

My thoughts exactly. But Turo is more expensive.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2019 at 20:24

Is the R ogue to the RAV4 what the CR- V was?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2019 at 20:25

I wouldn't take it without hardtop and doors because locking up belongings.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti
07/22/2019 at 20:30

So you own a Wrangler? What year? I don’t believe I’ve ever driven one. I drove an old CJ with a V8 back in the early 80s a couple of times.

What I need is to drive 300 highway miles, 32 miles of that dirt road, then 300 miles home without flattening a tire on the dirt road, and be able to go faster than 5 mph. Wrangler sound like a good fit for that or should I get something cushier?

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 20:54

Yes, I own a 2011 2 door with a manual. Any rental Wrangler is probably going to lack offroad tires, but you’ll have a spare at least. The Wrangler will be fun, but I just wanted to warn you that despite being an offroad vehicle, it might feel even harsher offroad than your van. You’re less likely to break a suspension component on the Wrangler which is a plus over something more comfy.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti
07/22/2019 at 21:24

Do you think it would have straight P-rated highway tires? But a proper spare?

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/22/2019 at 21:26

Yep, all the Wranglers have a full size spare mounted on the back.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > DipodomysDeserti
07/22/2019 at 23:41

How's your Wrangler in highway driving?

DipodomysDeserti > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/23/2019 at 00:26

I have the old Chrysler 3.8L in mine plus 33” E rated tires , so fuel economy sucks, but cruising is fine. I’ve done a few 3-6k mile roadtrips in it with no issues.

If it’s just you amd you want a fun experience I’d go for it.